Since Harrow council administration is participating in a review of London’s green belt led by Sir Sadiq Khan’s office, would they be rethinking about the Harrow’s Core Strategy and Local Plan?
This becomes pertinent as the review aims to assess and potentially revise the green belt designation in London, including areas within Harrow.
The mayor of London says current rules prohibiting development on green belt land are “wrong, out-of-date and simply unsustainable”, as the demand for housing increases.
Harrow’s Green Belt covers around 11 square kilometres (1088 hectares), equivalent to eight Hyde Parks and about one fifth of the Borough’s total area, given rise to an imbalance where there are ample green areas but inadequate housing.
Harrow is experiencing a severe housing crisis characterized by insufficient affordable housing, high rents, and increasing homelessness, resulting in a growing number of residents in temporary accommodation, causing a significant pressure on the Harrow council budget.
In 2024, Harrow had 2,163 households on their social housing waiting list, with an increased number of those deemed homeless.
In the context of local planning, a core strategy document is a key document in a local plan that sets out the overall vision and strategic direction for a local authority’s area, guiding future development and land use. It serves as the foundation for other local development documents like Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
In view of the Harrow’s changed population profile and many inner-city indicators, local town and country planning could do with a well-balanced and realistic approach between retaining green areas in the borough and meeting the local needs, including the housing demand, within the context of ‘putting residents first’!
This becomes pertinent as the review aims to assess and potentially revise the green belt designation in London, including areas within Harrow.
The mayor of London says current rules prohibiting development on green belt land are “wrong, out-of-date and simply unsustainable”, as the demand for housing increases.
Harrow’s Green Belt covers around 11 square kilometres (1088 hectares), equivalent to eight Hyde Parks and about one fifth of the Borough’s total area, given rise to an imbalance where there are ample green areas but inadequate housing.
Harrow is experiencing a severe housing crisis characterized by insufficient affordable housing, high rents, and increasing homelessness, resulting in a growing number of residents in temporary accommodation, causing a significant pressure on the Harrow council budget.
In 2024, Harrow had 2,163 households on their social housing waiting list, with an increased number of those deemed homeless.
In the context of local planning, a core strategy document is a key document in a local plan that sets out the overall vision and strategic direction for a local authority’s area, guiding future development and land use. It serves as the foundation for other local development documents like Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
In view of the Harrow’s changed population profile and many inner-city indicators, local town and country planning could do with a well-balanced and realistic approach between retaining green areas in the borough and meeting the local needs, including the housing demand, within the context of ‘putting residents first’!
Harrow Monitoring Group 